Just a few items:Personal preference is a key factor.
- There is no such thing as "stopping power" in handguns. It is a myth. Additionally, handguns are inherently poor manstoppers from a physiological perspective.
Where in the transit path of your BUGs in "38" cal. does this 3⅝" hole open up? Entrance? Temporary wound-cavity? Exit hole? Got any pics? What ammo are you using: hand-loads? Also, have you ever been shot by "a load of buckshot" (.410 up to 12ga.) ANYWHERE in your body? I disagree with your premise. But placement IS the correct answer. EBG<snip>with only my BUGs (380 or 38spl) I dont worry so much about the ability of the round to blow base ball sized holes through a bag guy as I do my shot placement. I think shooting a BG in the eye with a bb gun would be more effective than a load of buckshot to the pinky.
OR, an M1-A, in .308... or a .458 SOCOM ?????If it is stopping power you are looking for, might I suggest the M1 in 30-06?
It stops stuff!
Just a few items:Personal preference is a key factor.
- There is no such thing as "stopping power" in handguns. It is a myth. Additionally, handguns are inherently poor manstoppers from a physiological perspective.
- Bullet terminal performance and shop placement are independent. Bullet performance is a technology issue; while shot placement is a training issue. Neither affects the other.
- When all things are considered--wound profiles, muzzle blast, recoil, follow-up shot speed, magazine capacity, ammunition cost--there isn't a hair's difference among the 9, .40, and .45, assuming top-performing ammunition meeting all FBI terminal ballistic protocols.
If you gotta make a hole, then make a big one. The 45 is a *****cat on the shooters end. Practice and your learn to love the gentle push of the 45. John Browning got it right.